GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Suspension => Topic started by: Irish in Oz on Friday, 03 November 2017, 09:07 PM

Title: Front Suspension
Post by: Irish in Oz on Friday, 03 November 2017, 09:07 PM
I was in the company of a guy I know who changes his bikes often. He arrives  on a 1400 about 08 model absolutely mint condition. I asked him what he thought, he said OK except for front end he didnt like preloadwas up to max.
He had a Super Duke before.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: grog on Friday, 03 November 2017, 09:16 PM
Irish, is there more to this story.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Macon on Friday, 03 November 2017, 10:38 PM
Couple more beers me thinks  :lol:
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Speedy1959 on Friday, 03 November 2017, 11:02 PM
Must admit I am awaiting the punch line..
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: gsxbarmy on Friday, 03 November 2017, 11:05 PM
I think what Irish s saying is that the front forks are not really up to the job for the weight of a 14 under full braking - and i'd agree as no matter how well you set them up, even to changing the springs, there is only so much adjustment.

Much of this I believe is down to Suzuki building the 14 to a low budget. Had they fitted front fork# which could be re-valved (or had fitted better valves as standard) then the forks would work a lot better. Without going to a specialist suspension tuner (who can manufacture valves for the forks - like Maxton in the UK) you can't get this done, but 8nstead have to live with "diving" forks.

Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Irish in Oz on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 06:11 AM
I don't have my preload wound full up, a point that Buddy noticed the weekend he thrashed it. I did it deliberately so he couldn't keep up with me on the Oxley when I was on the inferior FJR ;). This guy would only be 80 kilo wet. I have never riden a Super Duke but assume they would be quite ridged.
So what do others have theirs set at, I weigh about 115 kilo as I have a very heavy bone structure.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Hooli on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 06:14 AM
I don't think they dive too badly, it's never given me any hassle anyway. But then I might* be used to it by now.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Andre on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 07:17 AM
Weight is 105 kg at 190 cm.
Preload 3 rings visible. Rider sag is 42 mm. Cable tie method shows I have 11 mm left before bottoming out, which is enough for a radical emergency brake action.
Rebound 6 clicks out.
Compression 3 clicks out. I use Motorex 4W fork oil which has a viscosity at 40 degree C of 16, which is about the same as the original Suzuki oil. Next oil change I will change to Motorex 5W with a viscosity of 22 as it is easier to get. Grabbed the last 4W they had and they won't get more. Only other source is in Bulgaria. No worry since I got plenty of clicks to spare.

So far I am quite happy with the settings.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Starion VR4 on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 07:18 AM
Gentlemen let me ask you this..... Have anyone ever herd of the perfect suspension setup.. that handles everything... from gentile riding to trashing it around a circuit? The answer is a resounding NO. Reason being is there are to many variables, why do the top racers turn up at a circuit & spend the sessions tweaking their suspensions?.... because they are tuning the bike specifically for that circuit & road conditions.

I am a reasonable rider by most standards & set me bike up for Australian Road conditions, to take the different surface changes, the uneven tar, the pot holes, the different grades of bitumen & then I also ride 2 up, & again make adjustments.. What I trying to point out is there are toooooo many variations to setup suspension perfectly for everything ( hence why Suzuki made it so easy to adjust) set the bike up for what is comfortable for 95% of your riding & live with the 5% you can't set it for. The most inportant factor I have found is changing the fluid every ear in my forks ( I use ATF Fluid) & shock  fluid every 2 years ( Again ATF)

:cheers: 
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 07:28 AM
Depends what your used to and what your comparing it with.

After my old 1100ET or Bandit its fine most of the time.
It gives a nice comfortable ride and although not great when pushed hard
it is fairly predictable and copes with minor stupidity.

Personally I like the shorter travel and firmer ride from many USD front ends.
If I don't ride my 14 for a while but put plenty of K's in on the B-King the 1400
has a strange feeling initially, more dive, more travel.

Not always bad, it is what it is.


Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Irish in Oz on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 10:40 AM
Maybe he needs this.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Tony Nitrous on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 12:23 PM
Ron Willams at Maxton gave me the spec'd to remove / blank / mod the internals on my anti-dive unit. The bike was better with his spec front end. Did the same to my GSXR1100G, similar to this.....

http://www.theflyingbanana.com/antidive.htm
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: GSXKING on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 12:43 PM
Ba hahahahahah heavy bone structure my arse you lardy bastard Irish  :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Irish in Oz on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 01:19 PM
Quote from: GSXKING on Saturday, 04 November  2017, 12:43 PM
Ba hahahahahah heavy bone structure my arse you lardy bastard Irish  :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:

Pot calling the kettle black. And change your avatar it's got t be at least 25 years old.  :lol:
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: grog on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 07:16 PM
i took mine to local suspension bloke. set it up to my weight. new springs, oil etc. i never think about adjusting now. did my head in trying those mcn settings, following others advice. work perfectly for me, two up just another ring on rear. 45kg wife. doesnt dive anymore, great over bumps. ,  rode a mt09, felt like a pogo stick only other ive really tried for a while. best 400 bucks ive spent. race tech make re valving kit. gold valves is name from memory.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Andre on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 08:22 PM
Bringing it to a suspension guy is great. Very happy with what mine did to the rear. For the budget's sake I had to do the front myself, quite happy with it.
Title: Re: Front Suspension
Post by: Hooli on Saturday, 04 November 2017, 08:32 PM
Mine could do with a click more on the compression adjusters, but they've been seized for years so that won't happen.